File photo by Michael S. Gordon / The RepublicanNorthampton Superintendent of Schools Isabelina Rodriguez, seen here at an awards ceremony in March, is among three finalists for the Granby school superintendent job.

GRANBY - Two veteran school administrators from Western Massachusetts are among the three finalists for the job as this town’s school superintendent.

Northampton superintendent Isabelina Rodriguez and Hampshire Regional School District assistant superintendent Anthony Ryan are vying for the post along with Steven Schafheimer, a retired assistant superintendent for Strategic Initiatives for the Brighton School District in Rochester, N.Y.

Current Granby superintendent Patricia Stevens will step down in January after serving for eight years.

A search committee began meeting in September soon after Stevens made her announcement. It compiled a longer list of candidates before narrowing it to the three finalists, according to Marissa McCarthy, director of pupil services.

Rodriguez told the Northampton School Committee in May that she planned to leave when her contract expires at the end of this school year. Northampton is in the process of conducting its own search for a superintendent.

Rodriguez began as Northampton superintendent in 2004 on an interim basis when predecessor, Michael Cosgriff, was arrested following a domestic quarrel. She had previously been employed in the Springfield Public Schools. The School Committee appointed her full-time the following year. Last year, Rodriguez was considered for the superintendent’s job in Amherst but was not chosen.

Rodriguez said the position in the smaller Granby school district is attractive to her because it would allow her to work one-on-one with parents, teachers and community members. “That’s the part of the job I enjoy the most,” she said.

Because Granby wants to fill the post by January, Rodriguez said if she is selected she would have to work with the school committees in both communities to resolve the conflict with her announced departure date.

Ryan has worked as an administrator in the Hampshire Regional district for 26 years, the last 15 as assistant superintendent. The Northampton native and resident said he is excited about the possibility of running the Granby schools.

“I’m aware of the good work they’ve done in Granby, and I hope to build on the foundation laid by the previous superintendents,” he said.

Schafheimer could not be reached for comment.

Each candidate is to spend a day in the Granby schools over the next month, according to McCarthy. A search committee member will also spend a day in each of the candidates’ districts.

The School Committee is expected to name a superintendent at its Nov. 15 meeting; the post carries an annual salary of between $120,000 and $140,000.